Invasive Pest Educator (Community Education Specialist 3) Job Listing at University of California in Davis, CA (Job ID 67769)

Description

Job Description

Department Summary:

The UC Master Gardener Program is an educational program designed to teach and effectively extend information that addresses home, community and school gardening needs throughout California using certified volunteers. UC Master Gardener volunteers are trained in sustainable landscaping, food gardening, and pest management practices and transfer their knowledge of research-based information to the public. As of 2022, the program represents over 6,000 active volunteers in 54 counties who contribute almost 400,000 hours of service to the University of California. 

The Statewide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program is a statewide unit reporting to the UC Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR). The unit develops and administers programs in IPM extension through a communications unit and Cooperative Extension advisors developing informational products for print, Web and a pesticide safety training program.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the University of California (UC) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Urban Associate Director and in close collaboration with the UC Master Gardener Statewide Program, the successful candidate will design, conduct, manage, and evaluate educational programs for UC Master Gardener volunteers and other urban and community audiences on new and emerging invasive pest species in California. Position will maintain existing online assets to ensure they remain up to date and relevant. Position will also be responsible for training UC Master Gardener coordinators and volunteers to become community-level scouts for invasive pest species. Other duties as assigned include participation at educational events including staffing UC IPM booths, contributing to blog and newsletter content, and providing educational presentations on new and emerging invasive pest species.

This position is a contract appointment that is 100% fixed and is scheduled to end on 3/31/2026 with the possibility of extension if funding permits.

The home department for this position is the Statewide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. While this position normally is based at 2801 Second Street Davis, CA 95618, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements, for applicants living in the State of California, at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University. 

Pay Scale: $49,800/year to $67,000/year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 5/14/2024.

Key Responsibilities:

55%

Material Development:

• Assists with developing, reviewing, and/or updating a wide variety of educational materials, including online courses, Powerpoint slides, speaker notes, handouts, newsletter and blog articles, hands-on educational modules, website content, and other materials as directed.

• Working with collaborators and subject matter experts, identifies needs for specific invasive species educational and outreach materials (e.g., Pest Notes, website content) and coordinates efforts to develop, produce, and promote these items.

• Assist in pursuing grant and other funding opportunities for providing and creating training courses and working with instructional designers for online course development.

• Partner closely with UC Specialists, Advisors, UC ANR staff, and other intended stakeholders

• Collaborates with partners on marketing and promotion of training opportunities on social media and elsewhere.

• Apply appropriate UC branding, accessibility and best practices and techniques for adult learners.

35%

Educational Programs and Program Planning:

• Coordinates and delivers virtual and in-person workshops or educational programs related to invasive species. Works with UC Advisors, UC Specialists, other UC ANR programs, and other partners to identify appropriate program formats, topics, and presenters.

• Coordinates with UC Master Gardener Statewide Training Coordinator and other collaborators to promote hands-on and train-the-trainer programs as appropriate.

• Assists UC Master Gardener coordinators in planning and carrying out local invasive species outreach projects.

• Coordinates logistics for meetings and workshops, including but not limited to finding locations, event promotion, contacting speakers, organizing registration, and assuring that appropriate materials are prepared and available.

• Evaluates effectiveness of training programs and materials. Designs and implements surveys and other assessment tools. Analyzes data and produces summary reports.

• Attends educational programs, interacts with appropriate experts, and reads literature to build expertise and stay abreast of new developments in adult education and informal education methods.

• Identify improvements for communicating scientific information, using suitable language levels, presentation, illustrations, etc. for multiple audiences. Identify and resolve accessibility barriers to ensure that UC IPM communication products meet ADA

accessibility standards.

10%

General Urban IPM Program Support:

• Participates in and contributes to the quarterly conference call of the Urban IPM Team to discuss pertinent topics.

• Participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trainings and activities; make suggestions and provide the feedback necessary to ensure UC IPM is a fair and equitable program.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Associate degree and/or equivalent experience/training in an area related to pest management, entomology, weed science, plant sciences, plant pathology, or agricultural education.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for extensive networking and collaboration on projects with UC Specialists, Advisors, Master Gardener personnel, landscape professionals, and other UC personnel, as well as with representatives of external organizations and agencies.
• Demonstrated teaching or training skills. Ability to learn and apply innovative teaching methods and online training delivery; ability to adapt to various educational levels of target audiences. 
• Excellent analytical skills to research, review, and analyze existing outreach or educational materials and to assess need for and to develop new materials.
• Demonstrated skill and experience in writing about technical subjects for lay audiences for clear understanding at the various levels of target audiences.
• Demonstrated skills in writing, editing, proofreading, and copyediting to correct for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and established style. Skills to incorporate suggested edits from multiple people with different backgrounds and viewpoints.
• Excellent oral presentation skills and demonstrated experience giving presentations. 
• Demonstrated experience in the planning, collaboration, and implementation of multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Experience convening meetings, organizing agendas, managing registration and logistics, and taking meeting notes.

Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in an area related to pest management, entomology, weed science, plant sciences, plant pathology, or agricultural education.
• Fluency in written and oral Spanish language
• Ability to set goals, identify priorities, adhere to deadlines, work independently and with others within approved guidelines, and accept and make use of feedback.
• Skill to effectively use Macintosh/Windows computers and related peripherals (such as keyboards, pointing devices, printers, external drives, scanners), the Mac/Windows operating system, including file organization and manipulation, and file search.
• Skill to effectively use Mac OS-based applications, including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); common Web browsers; file transfer programs; presentation software; photo manipulation software; calendaring and e-mail clients.
• Experience with hands-on training methods and train-the-trainer programs.
• Experience carrying out surveys and using other tools to evaluate programs and analyze collected data.
• Solid project management skills including, planning work, managing details, keeping multiple tasks/projects on track, working with stakeholders, and navigating ambiguity to deliver results.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must maintain valid CA DL and clean DMV record to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• Travel in-state outside of normal business hours.
• Multiple-day trips may be required to carry out educational programs in other parts of California.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time.  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, we work to improve the life of every Californian.

Collaborating to solve problems.

Connecting to serve communities.

For over 100 years, our advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to connecting Californians to their land grant university. We are highly collaborative and mission-driven to promote the health and well-being of people and places across the state. We are also trusted partners with hundreds of community organizations in addressing California's most pressing challenges.

UC ANR is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

This position will promote, in all ways consistent with the other responsibilities of the position, accomplishment of the Affirmative Action goals established by the Division.  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time.  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

Internal Candidates: Review the job posting and click the internal applicant link to apply. Use the same credentials used to login to UCPath to access the internal UC ANR job postings in order to apply.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.

External Candidates:  You must register to apply for a job or create a job search agent profile. Review the job posting and click the external applicant link to apply. Click the 'Register Here' link and follow the steps to create the account. The system will not prompt you to register until you try to apply for a job online.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.